Everest Base camp & Gokyo trek via Renjo La pass

Overview

Trekking to Everest Base Camp can be a stiff challenge for anyone, no matter what age but we realize that as the years go by, actually achieving the goal can become more of a challenge for older people. This trek is designed for people who are generally older or perhaps have a minor disability, but nevertheless would like to share in “The Everest Base Camp Experience” in a more leisurely way.

The trek to Goyko via Renjo la pass offers an alternative to the traditional Everest base camp trek. From Goyko Ri there are better views of Everest than the more traditional viewing spot of Kala Pattar. The mountains are more spectacular, the Ngozumpa Glacier is the largest in the Nepal Himalaya and from a ridge above Gokyo four 8000-meter peaks (Cho Oyu, Everest, Lhotse, and Makalu) are visible. The view of the tremendous ice ridge between Cho Oyu and Gyachung Kang (7922m) is one of the most dramatic panoramas in Khumbu Himalaya.

Early morning flight to Lukla (2,800m/9,186ft) / trek starts / pass Chaurikharka village / make a descent towards the Dudhkosi Ghat (2,530m/8,300ft) / the trail follows the bank of the Dudhkosi River until Phakding (2,652m/8,700ft) / overnight.

Day 04 : Phakding-Namche Bazaar: 5-6 hours
Trail crosses Dudhkoshi River over a long suspension bridge / then leads you along the river to Hilary’s Suspension Bridge / trail climbs further to Namche Bazaar / overnight

Day 05 : Namche Bazaar: Rest day
Rest day taken for the acclimatization / day hikes / Thame and Khunde possible

Day 06 : Namche Bazaar- Tyangboche: 6-7 hours
Climb up to the Shyangboche airstrip / just above the airstrip is the Everest View Hotel / a Japanese scheme to build / deluxe hotel with great views of of the Himalayas / trail descends slightly to Dudhkoshi at 3250m / steep ascent toTengboche Gompa / stunning background of Ama Dablam, Mt. Everest and other peaks.

Day 07 : Tengboche-Dingboche: 5-6 hours
slight descent early through lush forest / gradual climb up to the valleys highest year round settlement of Pangboche (3,860m/12,664ft) / continue ascending in the afternoon through alpine meadows and yak herds / eventually reaching Dingboche

Day 08 : Dingboche: Rest Day
The second rest day is taken for the acclimatization at Dingboche / side-trips planned from Dingboche, or you can rest. The side trip winds up the valley to Chhukung for sensational views

Day 09 : Dingboche-Lobuche: 5-6 hours
Today is a climb to Duglha (4,620m/15,158ft) / stunning views of Tawachee and Cholatse (6440m) / trail goes up to Khumbu Glacier for an hour then left into the memorial area / before reaching the village of Lobuche (4,930m/12,894ft) / by this stage the effects of the altitude will be kicking in and you can expect colder nights

From Lobuche we trek downhill on a trail alongside the Khumbu Glacier. Our trail splits into two and we choose the trail on our right. On the way we can better admire the view of the looming Awi Peak. We pass through a stupa and tombstones in the distance. After walking for a while we begin to ascend. During the ascent, we see Chola Tsho Lake nearby. We continue further and pass another lake which is lot smaller than the Chola Tsho Lake. We cross the Chola Khola on a bridge before reaching Dzongla.

As we gain height, the Cho La Lake begins to appear and the Ama Dablam presides over a range of mountains on the south and Cholatse soars on the west. Climbing the incline is not easy; it is steep, but made worse by boulders over some of which we will have to scramble. The final climb to the Cho La can be a little tricky as the trail curves round a crevasse. The top of the pass is marked by prayer flags and cairns. Scenery of majestic peaks on all directions is breathtaking. Although long, the path leading down to Thangnak is not difficult.

Day 14: Thangnak to Gokyo( 4,790 m), approx., 3-4 hrs.

Our trail brings us to the edge of the Ngozumpa glacier, which is the longest glacier in Nepal. Reaching the other side of the glacier, we see the second Gokyo Lake on the series of six lakes. A short distance away is the third Gokyo Lake. On the edge of this lake stands the Gokyo Village where we spend the night.

We climb Gokyo Ri today and enjoy views of the incredible mountain vista. We can also tour the fourth Gokyo Lake today which is only 3km north of the Gokyo Village. Next, continue trekking to the 5th lake. The view from ‘Scoundrel’s Viewpoint’, located at the edge of the 5th lake, is astonishing. Cho-Oyu, Gyachung Kang, Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, and Makulu mountains and the huge Ngozumba Glacier are ours to admire. We trek back to Gokyo and spend the night.

We start the day early in the morning to complete the long day’s trek ahead. Our trail moves alongside Dudh Pokhari (lake) for a while. We walk for around two hours before descending towards the Renjo La pass. On the way we are rewarded with extravagant views of the Himalayan and Rolwaling ranges and others. Views from the Renjo La pass are much like that from Gokyo Ri with the third Gokyo Lake and Gokyo Village beneath the gray smear of the Ngozumpa Glacier. We also get outstanding views of Mt. Everest from the top of the pass. Continuing on from the pass, our trail winds down a stone staircase and then moves over a loose scree to reach the south bank of Angladumba Tsho Lake. The prescence of ice on the trail while descending down can make our descent a bit hazardous. Along the way we see Relama Tsho and Renjo Lake. We walk down a narrow valley clogged with giant boulders to Lumde where there is a support lodge, but it is often closed. We walk almost for an hour from Lumde to get to Marlung on the east bank of the Bhote Koshi River.

Day 17: Marlung to Namche Bazaar: 5 – 6 hours

The descent from Marulung to Thame follows a traditional route used for centuries by the Tibetan traders. We cross the Bhote Koshi River and descend to Taranga. The trail continues to descend and we cross two bridges before reaching Thame. Overlooking Thame is its famous Gompa situated on a hill to the west. From here, we descend gradually on a trail that passes through a few small villages before reaching Namche Bazaar which is probably the biggest town in the Everest region. Overnight in Khumbu Resort

Day 18: Rest day: Namche Bazaar

Day 19: Namche Bazaar to Phakding 19km, 6 – 7 hours

We begin our trek with a descent. As we continue our trek, we cross several bridges over the fast flowing Dudh Koshi River and its tributaries. Now the trail has become more level and natural. On our trek we enjoy walking on open plains, through rhododendron and pine forests and enjoy distant views of the snow covered peaks. We walk through Sherpa villages noticing their impressive faith in Buddhism and the culture of prayer stones and prayer flags. After reaching Lukla, we stretch those sore legs and recall the experiences of the last couple of weeks. Our long trek to the mountain and its high passes ends today.

Day 20: Phakding to Lukla, approx., 3-4 hrs.

Day 21: Lukla to Kathmandu: approx., 40 minutes flight

The flights to Kathmandu are usually scheduled for morning for safety purposes. After reaching the capital city, we have the rest of the day off to past the time as we please. We could take a rest in our hotel room or shop for souvenirs for our loved ones. In the evening, there will be a farewell dinner to celebrate the successful completion of your journey to the mountains.

Day 22: Kathmandu rest day

Rest and leisure day, strolling around Thamel, shopping, etc.

Day 23: Departure Day: Transfer to airport / fly to your next destination with beautiful memory back home

Cost Excludes

Meals other than breakfast when staying in hotels

Personal expenses and bar bills

Clients’ travel insurance

Tips and gratuities

Important Note and Optional Activities

Please note: All the trekking itineraries are flexible and can be revised in order to best meet your requirements i.e. your time, interests etc. Please make contact with us if you have any special requirements or interest.